National briefs

NSW Finance Minister
Greg Pearce
’s office is checking travel records following allegations he flew to major sporting events at taxpayers’ expense. “The minister did attend a number of sports or cultural events, as did many other ministers and MPs," his spokeswoman said on Monday. Deputy state opposition leader
Linda Burney
says the controversy was affecting pre-budget preparations. Premier
Barry O’Farrell
refused to comment. AAP

Car makers will have to hand over information needed to repair high-tech cars to independent mechanics, sparing drivers from having to use official dealers for servicing. Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council chairman
Colin Neave
will monitor industry negotiations on a voluntary code of conduct, Assistant Treasurer
David Bradbury
announced on Monday. It comes after a nearly two-year-long review of the area by the council, which recommended the change to the government in November 2012. Katie Walsh

The City of Sydney says it has saved enough power to run a small town by retrofitting old buildings with energy-efficient measures. The council saved as much as 50 per cent on power and water bills in government-owned buildings by installing LED lights and motion sensors, adjusting the voltage and upgrading facilities. The savings have been made under a contract with
Origin Energy
to cut electricity use in the city’s buildings by 6.4 million kilowatt hours a year. AAP

West Australian Health Minister
Kim Hames
has confirmed a six-month delay to the opening of the $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital. Originally slated to open in April next year, the hospital is now expected to begin a phased opening from October 2014. The construction of the project is on time and budget, but the delay has been caused by problems with the roll-out of information and communication technology. Natalie Gerritsen

Victorian Premier
Denis Napthine
hopes lives will be saved by the state’s new number plates which will bear the road safety message “stay alert stay alive". The new plates – 1AA 1AA – will replace the three-letter, three- number plates that have been around for 60 years. AAP